Back to School: Registration

by Celia Shortt

Linda Benoist LPn gives Jackson Basinger his
immunizations at the Coweta
County health Department.
Jackson is nervous and excited
about starting Pre-K in August.

To keep from falling behind in the 2013-14 school year, students who are new to Coweta County need to register for school before the school year starts on Tuesday, August 6.

Parents can register their children at the school system’s Central Registration Center, located at 167 Werz Industrial Drive in Newnan. It is open Monday through Friday and can be contacted at 770-254-5551.

Students already enrolled in a Coweta County school — including in pre-Kindergarten class during the 2012-13 school year — do not need to register again. Parents can call the Central Registration Center at 770-254-5551 to get more information.

New students do not need to be present to register. Other information about the registration process can be found online at www.cowetaschools.org/registration .

“Please check the website and come prepared,” said Phil Kline, Technology Services Coordinator for the Coweta County School System. “It will make your process easier and ensure that your student will be in their seat when school starts.”

Kline said that the goal of everyone is to make sure that every individual student is sitting in their seat on the first day of school.

“It’s an all hands task at this point, being focused on that first day,” he said. “Everything is flowing pretty good. We have a very good communication process, and that is good in getting us ready for that first day.”

According to Georgia law, students must be five years old by September 1 to enroll in Kindergarten and six years old by September 1 to enroll in first grade.

Students must attend the school for which their home is districted. To find the correct elementary, middle, or high school for an address, contact the Coweta County School System Transportation Department at 770-254-2820.

To enroll a new student in school, parents will need to provide the following items:

3. Proof of Residence – two items from the following list are required for address verification:

a. property tax records which indicate the location of the residence;

b. mortgage documents or a security deed which indicates the location of the residence;

c. apartment or home lease or rent receipt indicating the current address;

d. current electrical bill or application for electrical service showing the current address (please bring the entire bill, to show electrical service and address);

e. voter precinct identification card or other voter documentation indicating the current address.

4. State ID or Drivers License – Must be current (not expired). Students may only be registered by a biological parent or legal guardian. Proof of custody or guardianship is required if the registering adult is not the birth parent.

5. Custody papers (if relevant) - If parents are divorced they must provide a copy of custody papers. Legal guardians will also have to provide a copy of custody papers, and must live in the appropriate school district.

6. Last Report Card/Withdrawal/Transfer Form with Grades – This information is required at registration to facilitate records requests and class placement.

8. Hearing-Dental-Vision Certificate on Georgia Form 3300 or a signed 120-day waiver.

9. Authorization for release of Individual Educational Plan (IEP) or student records – This is required if a student is receiving Special Education or Gifted services. If an IEP or other information that establishes eligibility for services is not presented at the time of registration, services in the Coweta County School System may be delayed until the records are received by the school.

10. Emergency contact information – Students must have a contact name and number on file at the school by the first day of attendance. Immunization and Hearing-Dental-Vision certificates can be obtained from the Coweta County Health Department (770-254-7400) or a family physician.

Students who are transferring from another school in Georgia should have the certificates from their previous school available when registering. If they do not, short term waivers can be requested to allow parents time to get them. Students, however, may be withdrawn if the certificates are not filed by the end of the waiver period.

Coweta County high schools operate on a block schedule system, allowing students to complete a full course earning one Carnegie Unit in one semester. Any missed classes during the semester will then result in significant lapses in instructional time, which can seriously jeopardize a student’s success.

Therefore, on-time and consistent attendance at every grade level is important in a child’s education. All parents are urged to make sure their child begins class when the school starts on Aug. 6.